Monday Morning Memo: At the End of Your Rope

I’ve come to the conclusion that life isn’t always easy.  Pretty profound, huh?  If I could talk with each of you, I’m guessing you have probably already figured that out.    We all know from experience that our life can change in an instant, and we can go from feeling content, to feeling overwhelmed, or from feeling blessed to feeling lonely or disappointed.  

I was thinking about this recently and the Beatitudes kept coming to my mind and so I got my Bible and re-read them.  They are found in Matthew 5 and they read like this:

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.  He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
  Blessed are those who mourn, 
   for they will be comforted. 
 Blessed are the meek, 
   for they will inherit the earth. 
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 
   for they will be filled. 
Blessed are the merciful, 
   for they will be shown mercy. 
Blessed are the pure in heart, 
   for they will see God. 
Blessed are the peacemakers, 
   for they will be called children of God. 
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, 
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.   Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Each of these beatitudes tell us how to be blessed.  “Blessed” means more than happiness.  These beatitudes don’t promise laughter, pleasure or earthly prosperity.  To Jesus, “blessed” means having hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances.  To find hope and joy, which is the deepest form of happiness, we need to follow Jesus no matter what the cost. 

Since we know life isn’t always easy…and our world seems to be rather unhinged these days…I thought it might be a good idea for us to look at each of these beatitudes this summer.  Hopefully it will help us to understand how we can experience this hope and joy that Jesus speaks of…regardless of what is happening around us.  

We will explore one beatitude each week and we will look at them from the version The Message, which puts it in today’s language.  So today’s is:

Matthew 5:3 - "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”

Have you ever felt like you were at the end of your rope?  I’ve heard people say they were at the end of their rope, and they had to tie a knot in the rope and hang on.  It’s that feeling when you’ve done all you can do, and you just don’t know what else to do.  This beatitude is telling us that when we get to that point, that’s when God can take over.  That’s when we can give up trying to have control and let Him have control.  Ouch.  I don’t find that to be easy.

James 4:7-10, also in The Message version, tells us what we need to do to get to this place of surrender.   “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.”

These verses are telling us that if we really want to be blessed and be near to God and allow Him to take control, we first need to submit to God.  Yes, this is often easier said than done…but if we can learn to yield to His authority and His will, committing our life to Him and His control, I think we will begin to realize how blessed we are.

Secondly, we need to resist the devil.  We need to be intentional and not allow Satan to entice and tempt us.  We know that God and the devil are at war, but we know who will win in the end.  But Satan is here now, and he is trying to win us over to his evil cause.  With the Holy Spirit’s power, we can resist the devil and he will flee from us.

Third, we need to lead a pure life.  We are to ask God to cleanse us from our sin, replacing our desire to sin with our desire to experience God’s purity.  It is possible to have our past completely washed away…all we need to do is ask…and He is willing to forgive us so we can lead a pure life.

Fourth, we are supposed to grieve with sincere sorrow for our sins.  Don’t be afraid to express deep heartfelt sorrow for what you have done.  Do you ever sin and then not really feel too bad about doing it?  Gossiping…lying…cheating…etc…can often be seen as just “small” sins and nothing that grieves God.  Every sin breaks God’s heart and for us to be truly blessed, we need to grieve over our sins and sincerely vow to quit repeating them.

And last, we need to humble ourselves before the Lord, and He will lift us up.  Humbling ourselves means recognizing that our worth comes from God alone.  To be humble involves working with His power according to His guidance, not with our own independent effort.  Although we do not deserve God’s favor, He reaches out to us in love and gives us worth and dignity, despite our human shortcomings.

So much to comprehend…and that’s just the first beatitude…but I think it is a great place to start.  Once we can grasp what it really looks like to let God have complete control…we can begin to experience the hope and joy that He offers us…and we won’t even need that know we tied in our rope 

Monday Morning Memo: Why Me?

It was one of the last places I thought I would become emotional.  Watching a tear-jerker movie…hearing something in church that pierces my heart…and even sometimes when a grandchild says or does something that touches me.  Those are all times when I might become emotional…but in the grocery store?  Yep…that’s what happened to me last week.

Two days prior to my “poignant” trip, I had the opportunity to help package meals for those who are suffering in Ukraine.  Many of these people have lost everything…their home…their job…their community…and even their loved ones.  They have been left with very little and just finding food to eat has become their most crucial task, so for some, these packaged meals could easily be the difference between starving and surviving.

So, as I came around the corner in the grocery store and looked down the well-stocked aisle…tears flooded my eyes.  All I could think of was…Why me?  Why was I blessed to be born in a country where there is still plenty of food choices on our shelves?  Why do I have adequate money to purchase pretty much what I want as I peruse each section of the store?  Yes, my husband and I have worked hard through the years to get where we are…but why were we born into homes where we were loved and taken care of and shown how to work and be independent?  Why me?

Why am I blessed to live in a country where I can attend church and worship my Jesus?  Why don’t I have to go “underground” to read my Bible and spend time with my brothers and sisters in Christ?  Why me?

Why have I been blessed with a loving husband…amazing children and the most adorable grandchildren?  Why do I still have those family members to hug…while other families across our country are planning funerals for their loved ones due to crazed individuals taking their lives by gunning them down?  Why me?

As we commemorate Memorial Day today…why have others been willing to give their life in service to their country…so I can enjoy freedom?  Why me?

Why me?  I didn’t have an answer to that question and as I walked through the store that day; I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness for the many ways I have been blessed. And I haven’t been able to shake that feeling ever since.

What I do know is to those who have been given much…much is expected in return.  Luke 12:48 says, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”   You see, it’s so easy to just bask in the blessings, but then neglect to do what we are called to do to make a difference where we have been placed.

A friend contacted me and said that God was asking her to do something that was WAY out of her comfort zone.  She knew she was to be obedient…but she wanted me to pray that she would hear Him correctly and would have the courage to do what He was asking of her.

God was asking her to take a day and drive all around the perimeter of Huntington County…stop at various locations…and pray for God to work in a mighty way within the people in our county.  She said He was telling her that there would be a lot of work that would go into preparing for this day, including prayer, study and fasting. 

God began to download into her mind His plan for this day and when He was done…she ended up with 11 pages of things she was supposed to pray for which included scriptures and songs which would need to be read and listened to.  God laid on her heart to ask another woman to join her for this day of prayer and that day was May 21st.

They drove around our entire county and prayed and asked for things such as:

To bless and speak blessing over our County.

To pray for healing over our County. Healing of the land and the hearts of the people. For their faith to be raised up to believe in the healing power of Jesus.

To call for repentance over our County.  For hearts to be humbled.

To speak healing, protection, forgiveness and desire for righteousness over our County.

To pray for all the Pastors, Church Leaders, Church bodies, and Ministries in our County.  

There were 13 different things they prayed for…for our county.

My friend didn’t wait for a revival service to come to town…or for a Pastor to take the lead…she stepped out and was obedient to her Jesus…because she loved Him that much.  She took the verse I shared seriously…knowing that to whom much is given…much is required.

Friends, we have a story to tell the nations…and that begins right here in my county and in yours…and it starts with you and me.  You see, our love for Jesus is proven genuine through our obedience to Him.

Why me?  I don’t know why.  But my prayer is that I will be willing to do whatever He asks me to do…because I have been given much.

Monday Morning Memo: A Time of Loss

If I had to sum up 2022 so far in one word…it would be the word “loss”.  So far this year, we have lost two very special members of our family.  I shared on January 24th about my dear Aunt Gerry who passed away. She served as a missionary nurse in Africa for 37 years and in everything she did, she always wanted God to be glorified, not her.  She knew how important each person was to her Jesus and she wanted to make sure everyone knew about His great love for them.

Then last Monday, my precious mother-in-law entered Heaven and saw her Jesus face to face.  I called this amazing woman “Mom” for over 40 years and losing her has been difficult.  When she began with Hospice care, they told us she probably had one to two days left…and this strong woman lived another three weeks.  Even though I knew she was ready to hear the words, “Welcome, my good and faithful servant”…I selfishly didn’t want to let her go.  But she was called Home and is now walking the streets of gold with those who have gone before her.

I don’t understand why we had to lose these dear family members so close together…but I know that God’s plan and timing are always perfect.  As I shared last week, I had re-read an article by Bronwyn Lea who shared about being convicted that when she prayed, instead of praying “God, make it better”, she needed to start praying, “God, make it count”.  I revealed that her words made me realize that many of my prayers these past weeks had been asking Jesus to just “make it better”…or “make it easier”…or “make it just how I thought things should be”.  Instead, I was convicted that I needed to be praying that what we are going through, will count for HIS glory.  I knew I needed to be asking for Him to make it count for eternity…that my witness of His faithfulness, day in and day out, will make others want to know my Jesus.

Today we have the viewing for Mom and then tomorrow I will officiate her funeral.  I know that on my own, I can’t do either of these things…but with God’s power, all things are possible.  I would appreciate your prayers that we will be able to be a light to those who come to celebrate Mom’s life and that I will share not my words, but words that come from our Jesus.  Again, my prayer is that our time together will count for His glory and will impact eternity.  That is definitely what Mom would want to happen.

These weeks have left me tired.  God has been so faithful to walk with us every step of the way, but it has taken its toll on me and has left me physically and mentally depleted. As a result, I have decided to take some time off to allow my mind and body to be refreshed.  As soon as I feel I am ready, I will begin writing again.  I have also been working on writing another YouTube video series, so I am hoping this time will help give me direction and insight into what God wants me to share in the days to come on my “The Image Seeker” channel which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0szlDSgNBtFuzzNLBWzwMA.

Until then, I thank you so much for following my “ramblings” and for the love and support you have shown me.  I hope to be back soon sharing with you each Monday what God lays on my heart and with a new YouTube series.  May each of you be blessed in the days to come as you continue to seek His image!

“For you are my rock and my fortress; 

and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;

 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, 

for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; 

you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”

Psalm 31:3-5

Monday Morning Memo: Make It Count

Life isn’t always wrapped in a box with a pretty bow, is it?  Oh, sometimes it might feel like we are in a box…but that box is torn and ripped and isn’t at all beautiful.  The walls feel like they are closing in around us and we may begin to feel claustrophobic.  There have been times recently when I have felt this way, since my mother-in-law has been under Hospice care for the past three weeks.  It has been a roller coaster ride and as of today, signs are showing us that she will soon see her Jesus face to face.

I’ve done a lot of praying these past weeks as I have sat beside her bed.  Praying for peace, praying for comfort, praying that she would not suffer.  Mom has always told us that she hoped when it was her time to pass, she would just go to sleep and wake up with Jesus.  She has not gotten her wish…these have not been easy days for her…and I have struggled with that fact.

These past days have made me think of an article I read several years ago which really spoke to me.  It was written by Bronwyn Lea and it was entitled, “One Little Word That Radically Changed My Prayers.”  Her words really shook me to the core.  If you haven’t read these words from Bronwyn, I highly recommend that you do.  If you have read them, I highly recommend you read them again!  I have read them over and over, and I am working hard to use her idea in my daily life.  You can find it at http://bronlea.com/2013/08/06/one-little-word-that-radically-changed-my-prayers/.

To give you just a short synopsis, this woman concluded that when she prayed, instead of praying “God, make it better”, she needed to start praying, “God, make it count”.  I so needed to read her words then and I needed to read them again now.  I realized that many of my prayers have been asking Jesus to just “make it better”…or “make it easier”…or “make it just how I think things should be”.  Instead, I need to be praying that what we are going through, will count for HIS glory.  I should be asking for Him to make it count for eternity…that my witness of His faithfulness, day in and day out, will make others want to know my Jesus.

Back in 2018, I wrote these words: “So what do we do when life isn’t what we bargained for?  We trust.  Not in ourselves, or our family, or our employer, or our all-important tech giant.  We trust in the One who created us.  The One who knows the number of hairs on our head.  The One who loves us more than we can even imagine.  The One who loves our spouse, our children, our friends…even more than we do.  The One who was nailed to a tree, so that we could spend eternity with Him.  The One whose plan for us is perfect, even if it doesn’t make sense to us.  The One who is our Jesus.”

I have tried this past week to trust my Jesus when things didn’t make sense. Instead of badgering Him to “fix” what has been happening, l have tried to pray for Him to make it count in light of eternity.  Honestly, I haven’t succeeded every day, but I think I did better and hopefully in this next week, I will trust my Jesus even more and will let Him lead me wherever will bring Him glory.

Some of Bronwyn’s final words were, “God, now that I think about it, please don’t just make it better. Not if it doesn’t count.”  WOW.  I’m not there yet…but I’m sure working on it.

What are you going through today?  Are you also just nagging Jesus over and over again to take away your current health problem…or work situation…or family issue?  Why not try something different this week and ask Him to make your problems count…for eternity…and for HIS glory.  What do you have to lose?   

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.”

Proverbs 3:5-7a (The Message)

Monday Morning Memo: Faith in Action

Growing up, there was a story in the Bible that all the kids loved to hear; the story of Zacchaeus.  We would hear about him, sing about him and even do motions to act out his story. Everyone enjoyed talking about the little man who had to climb a tree to see Jesus.

 

As we know, Zacchaeus was not a favorite among his peers because he was a dreaded tax collector, an employee of the Roman government. Under the Roman system, men bid on the position of tax collector, pledging to raise a certain amount of money. Anything they raised over that amount was their personal profit. Luke says Zacchaeus was a wealthy man, so he must have extorted a great deal from the people and encouraged others to do so as well. 

 

It is surprising then that Zacchaeus was so intent on seeing Jesus.  Why would he need Jesus?  He probably had everything the world could give; yet something drew him to the Savior.  What is amazing is the fact that all it took was Jesus speaking to him to make him realize the error of his ways.  We read in Luke 19:8, “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord!  Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

 

In those days, if someone was monetarily wronged, the law required that they be paid back the amount due plus 20% (Numbers 5:7, Leviticus 6:5).  Zacchaeus was going far beyond what the Lord demanded; he wanted to make sure that Jesus knew he was serious about making a life change.  The commentary in my Bible states that “Zacchaeus demonstrated inward change by outward action.”

 

How pertinent that is for us today. Following Jesus in our head or heart alone is not enough.  Our faith must be shown by changed behavior.  If we are a true follower of Christ, it must be obvious to others that we are different; that we want to go far beyond what is expected of us to do His will.  It means not finding our self-worth in what the world has given us, but only in what Christ has given us.  It means there may be times when we must take a stand for what the Bible says is true; even when that won’t make us popular.  It means we may have times when reaching out to someone who others despise, may not be the easy choice but the right choice. 

 

So, I have two questions for you today.  The first one is, “Are you listening?”  If Zacchaeus wouldn’t have been listening to Christ, he more than likely wouldn’t have realized his need to change.  There is so much noise in our world today that can drown out our Savior’s voice if we aren’t intentional in allowing Him to speak to us.  We must listen to know His plans for us.

 

Secondly, “Is your faith resulting in action?”  It’s not enough to just say you are a Christian because, more often than not, your actions will speak much louder than your words to others.  Those with whom you come in contact need to see that you are different because of what Christ has done in your life. 

 

I urge you this week to make it a priority to listen to Christ and then look within yourself, as I am doing, to see if there are changes that need to be made so that others will see Him in you! 

 

“Just as the body is dead without breath,

 so also faith is dead without good works.”

James 2:26

Monday Morning Memo: Life's Roller Coasters

I used to love riding roller coasters.  I lived my jr. high years and part of my high school years close to Disneyland in California…so I had the opportunity to ride some of the biggest and best and I loved every minute of it.

 

Fast forward 45 years…and you couldn’t pay me enough money to ride one today.  After five back surgeries, just the thought of riding one makes me cringe because I would probably end up either in traction or on a surgery table if I even survived!  The cost just isn’t worth the momentary thrill.

 

The problem is that I am realizing these days that I don’t have to actually be on a rollercoaster to feel like I am on one.  Life can, at times, be a ride with enough twists and turns to make me wonder what is just over the next hill, all while having a knot in the pit of my stomach.  This is exactly how I am currently feeling.

 

My dear, 94-year-old mother-in-law was put under the care of hospice a week ago.  The weeks leading up to that decision and the days since then have felt like a ride on which I don’t want to be.  One day feels like the calm of going up a hill…and the next day feels like we are spiraling downward and there is no bottom.  And the most devastating realization is that when this particular “ride” is over…I, along with our family, will have a hole in our midst that will never be filled.

 

Change hurts.  Loss hurts.  And this kind of hurt doesn’t have an easy fix or an easy solution and no matter what tomorrow or the next day brings…my life will never be the same.  It won’t be a ride where there is an ending…because this ride will influence every day for the rest of my life.

 

I was reading in the 17^th chapter of Numbers this past week, where the people of Israel were once again grumbling and causing dissention.  So, God told Moses to have the people bring him twelve wooden staffs.  There was to be one staff from each of Israel’s tribes and he was to write each leader’s name on his particular staff.  These staffs were then supposed to be put in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark which contained the tablets of the Covenant.  God told Moses that the staff of the man He would choose to lead the people would have buds sprout on it as a sign.

 

When Moses went into the Tabernacle of the Covenant the next day, he found Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted…but it had also budded, blossomed and produced ripe almonds!  All over night!

 

While I’m sure God wanted the people of Israel to see who He had chosen to lead…I can’t help but believe He also wanted to make sure Moses and Aaron knew that He had their backs.  He knew what they needed and was more than capable of handling any situation they faced.  When trouble arose…when the rollercoasters of life came their way, God could use it to teach them…to guide them…to work within them to help them look more and more like Him.  It would have been a miracle for the people to see that Aaron’s staff had budded overnight…but they also witnessed that it had blossomed and produced almonds.  You see, God was capable of doing more than they could even imagine.  

 

Just as God used this time of trouble for Moses, Aaron and the people of Israel to witness what He was capable of…maybe God is using this particular time for me to witness His ability to see me through every twist and turn that comes my way.  Fortunately, He can see my tomorrow and my mother-in-law’s tomorrow, and He already knows what each of us will need to fulfill His perfect plan…and yes, that might just include another roller coaster ride.

 

Maybe you are also feeling like you are on a “ride” right now that will never end.  Maybe your days are spent wondering what is going to be just over the next hill…and you have a knot in the pit of your stomach.  I want to urge you today to keep your eyes on God…knowing that He has your back.  He can see you through and accomplish more on your journey than you can even imagine.  It may not be a ride that makes sense and it may include some changes and maybe even some loss…but through it all…He promises to guide and direct you at every turn.

 

As I stated, the cost of riding a roller coaster today…just isn’t worth the momentary thrill for me.  But I am confident that the cost of riding life’s roller coaster with God…will be worth every second.

 

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, 

you won’t have to walk in darkness, 

because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John 8:12

Monday Morning Memo: Now is the Time

There were three ministers who went to a convention and were all sharing one room. The first pastor said, "Let's confess our secret sins one to another. 
I'll start. My secret sin is I don’t take time to pray for my church
members, but my members think I am a prayer warrior.”





The second pastor said, "My secret sin is that I just hate working and
preparing the sermons. I copy all my sermons from those given by other
pastors." 



 

The third pastor said, "My secret sin is gossiping and, oh boy, I just
can't wait to get out of this room!"

 

We laugh at that, but if we are honest, we probably all have had secret sins in our life.  Sins that may haunt us…sins that may still control us…even sins for which we have asked for forgiveness, but still have an impact on our daily lives. 

 

If you have time, read John 4:1-42, which tells the story of the Samaritan woman.  This is a fascinating encounter to me.  Here was a woman with a very sordid past and her sins weren’t secret.  Everyone in her community knew her to be promiscuous and I’m sure the tongues of the townspeople were kept busy talking about this sinner.  She wouldn’t have been one of the “in” crowd with the other women because more than likely, she may have slept with some of their husbands.  She would have been an outcast.  

 

So why in the world would Jesus choose to speak to this despised woman at the well?  If you read this text, you will see that He planned this encounter. Jesus chose this time, this place, and this woman to be a part of a setting where He would, for the first time ever, formally and explicitly unveil his true identity as the Messiah.  I would have thought He would have done that for the first time before a large crowd, like a Billy Graham crusade, to have a much greater impact.  Instead, He selected this sinful, promiscuous woman to be the first to hear it.  To me, that is amazing.

 

He told her…because He knew of her past.  He told her…because He knew she needed a Messiah.  He told her…because He knew she would tell others.  Because of her willingness to tell others about the Messiah, because of her willingness to be vulnerable and confess to others about her sinful past, many came to know Him as their Lord and Savior.  Jesus knew this area was on the verge of accepting this Living Water that He was offering.  That’s why He told his disciples that the field was ready for harvest there in Samaria.  And because of one woman’s willingness to spread the word, many were saved.  Notice these people told the woman they no longer were just taking her word for it that Jesus was the Messiah.  They had heard it for themselves and now believed.  You see, too often we think we need to do the saving.  We don’t!  We just need to be willing to tell those we see about our Jesus, about what He has done for us, and the Holy Spirit will make sure they see it for themselves.

 

You know, this woman could have wallowed in her sin, feeling like she was not worthy of accepting the Living Water.  Obviously, she wasn’t proud of what she had done and the sins she had committed.  She could have continued in this sinful life, feeling like she could never be forgiven for all she had done.  I think it is easy for some of us to do that too.  We’ve done things in our past which we aren’t proud of, and even though we know that Jesus says He will forgive us of those sins, we continue to hold on to them, feeling shame and embarrassment.  That is Satan making sure we don’t live a victorious life in Christ.  He wants to keep us down and discouraged.  

 

What an impact this despised, sinful, outcast woman ended up having on eternity!  If she could be used to make a difference, don’t you think you and I can be too?  Jesus can take us, with all our failures, with all our sins – secret and not so secret – cleanse us and allow us to be a living vessel for Him.  What an honor and what a privilege.  Now is the time to quit wallowing in our past and feeling that there isn’t any hope.  There IS hope in our Messiah!

 

Then they said to the woman, 

“Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, 

but because we have heard him ourselves. 

Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”

John 4:42